Tough race forces wealthiest congressman to spend

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Tough race forces wealthiest congressman to spend
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD | Oct. 4, 2016 3:48 AM EDT

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, the wealthiest member of Congress with a fortune estimated at more than $250 million, didn't spend a penny on television ads or yard signs as he cruised to victory in recent elections.

. . .

The eight-term lawmaker and chief antagonist of President Barack Obama and Democrat Hillary Clinton faces a tougher-than-expected challenge from Marine-turned-lawyer Doug Applegate. Changing demographics in this California coastal district and Donald Trump's presence at the top of the GOP ticket pose a tricky calculus for Republicans in a state that has become a Democratic fortress.

Latinos outnumber the white population, while Democrats control the governorship, rule with hefty margins in the state Legislature and are assured of holding the U.S. Senate seat in an unusual Democrat vs. Democrat matchup thanks to the state's top-two primary.

. . .

A decade ago, Republicans held a 20-point registration advantage over Democrats in the 49th Congressional District, which includes wealthy seaside enclaves north of San Diego but also densely packed, diverse suburban communities. That double-digit margin has dwindled to single digits, while the number of independents has soared by 60 percent over that time.


Read more: http://elections.ap.org/content/tough-race-forces-wealthiest-congressman-spend-0

[BumRushDaShow]

1. I see the problem in his District

To Applegate, Issa is ripe for defeat because he is complicit in the stalemate that has gripped Washington for years. Democrats are running an ad comparing the congressman to Trump.

"Washington is a mess and Darrell Issa isn't part of the problem, he is the problem," Applegate says. "He's afraid that the curtain is coming down on him."

Emily Berry, 31, a Democrat who was toting her 1-year-old son outside an Oceanside library, said she hasn't made a final decision in the race.

But when asked about Issa and Trump, she added, "If he has endorsed Donald Trump, I will not be voting for him."

http://elections.ap.org/content/tough-race-forces-wealthiest-congressman-spend-0

WTF? How can a Democrat in Issa's district, have "not made a final decision"?

The GOP is 40% and it's 60% Dem & indie. This man needs to go!

[Coolest Ranger]

2. Lord if we could

take him out I will be happy

[saltpoint]

3. Be great if voters out there in Darrell Issa's

district throw him overboard.

Will be watching to see the outcome in this one.

[LonePirate]

4. I was in Oceanside over the weekend. Saw several Issa signs but no Applegate signs.

By no means is this anything but anecdotal. I'm simply sharing the perspective of a visiting DUer. I sure hope Issa goes down to defeat.